Watch: Team Spain’s emotional tribute to Carla Suarez Navarro on her retirement
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Former top 10 player, Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro has retired from professional tennis. The 33 year-old who was diagnosed with cancer last year, was back on tour in 2021. However, she later announced that this would be her last year as a Pro. Her last appearance was at the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly known as the Fed Cup).
The Spaniard who is the personification of perseverance was well liked by male and female players alike. Despite fighting Hodkin’s Lymphoma, Navarro remained her humble and gracious self. Last month, she made an appearance at the Tenerife Ladies Open, patiently interacting with the ball kids, and answering every single one of their questions.
An emotional adieu for Navarro
Carla Suarez Navarro played the last match of her career against team Slovakia at the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup. Following the match, the Spanish team gathered to bid adieu to their beloved team member.
Navarro’s retirement: Tributes from players
Navarro’s retirement garnered emotional reactions from WTA players. Compatriot Garbine Muguruza fought to hold back her tears while Australian Rennae Stubbs wrote “To see Garbine Muguruza walk away because she was losing it emotionally is all you need to know what we all feel towards Carla Suarez Navarro! SHE IS THE ABSOLUTE MOST HUMBLE SPECIAL HUMAN! Garbine obviously felt so badly about not getting the job done for her; this breaks my heart!”
Carla Suarez Navarro: Career at glance
In her professional career, Carla Suarez Navarro attained the highest ranking of world no. 06 in singles and 11 in doubles respectively. Her titles include 2 singles and 3 doubles win. In the singles grand slam, she made it to 4th round of Wimbledon thrice, and reached the quarterfinals of the rest atleast two times each. In doubles grand slam category, she made it to the third rounds of Wimbledon and the US Open, quarterfinals at the Australian Open, and semifinals at Roland Garros. She is notable for her single-handed backhand, that was rather uncommon amongst her peers. In September of 2020, she was diagnosed with Hodkin’s Lymphoma.
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Aradhana Nayak
(189 Articles Published)